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NUS Scotland responds to Constitutional Future consultation

NUS Scotland recognises that the forthcoming decision on Scotland’s constitutional future will be the most important question for the people of Scotland in 300 years.
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It is vital to ensure that the surrounding debates, and the arrangements for how the decision is ultimately taken, are made as inclusive as possible.

Key messages:

  • NUS Scotland welcomes opportunities to work with the UK Government, Scottish Government and stakeholders to develop and deliver voter education to students and young people.

  • Westminster must act in partnership with the Scottish Government to provide genuine votes at 16.

  • All parties must work together to lower the voting age to 16 for this and future elections throughout the UK.

We know that Scotland’s students are Scotland’s future and it will be vital to ensure that students of all ages and backgrounds are supported and encouraged to engage fully in the constitutional debate and the referendum.

At the same time, a significant proportion of students in further and higher education are young people and it will be vital to ensure that young people are equally engaged in the debate.

NUS Scotland is keen for the arrangements for the referendum to be made in such a way that our students and young people are not deterred or prevented from participating in either the debate or the vote itself.